Otti, Kalu mourn AIG Uzuegbu

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 9, AIG Kanayo Uzuegbu, is dead.

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, announced this after the Labour Party primaries on Saturday.

Otti revealed that Uzuegbu died of cancer-related complications, stating, “We struggled to save his life, and we sent him to Enugu for treatment. I was just informed that he should be transferred back to the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia.”

He said the Commissioner of Police in Abia State, Danladi Isa, later confirmed the death after efforts by the state to save his life.

The governor, who described the late AIG as a good man, regretted his death and directed that a minute of silence be observed in his honour.

Uzuegbu resumed duty as AIG of Zone 9 last year.

Reacting, former governors of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu and Theodore Orji, extended their condolences to the Nigeria Police Force and the family of the deceased.

In a statement on Sunday, Kalu, who represents Abia North Senatorial District, expressed sadness over the death of AIG Uzuegbu.

Kalu described the late senior police officer as a “dedicated, disciplined, and highly professional officer who served Nigeria with honour and commitment throughout his distinguished career.”

The former Senate Chief Whip noted that the late AIG made significant contributions to maintaining peace, security, and public order, particularly in the South-East region, adding that his death was a painful loss to the Nigeria Police Force and the nation at large.

Kalu extended his condolences to the Inspector General of Police, officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force, the government and people of Imo State, the people of Njaba Local Government Area, the government and people of Abia State, as well as the family of the deceased.

He prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the deceased and asked God to grant his family, colleagues, and loved ones the strength to bear the irreparable loss.

Orji described the AIG’s death as “shocking and untimely.”

The former governor, who spoke through his liaison officer, Ifeanyi Umere, prayed God to grant those affected the fortitude to bear the loss.